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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A direction to play expressively.






2. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






3. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






4. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






5. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






6. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






7. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






8. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






9. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






10. A group singing in unison.






11. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






12. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






13. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






14. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






15. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






16. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






17. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






18. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






19. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






20. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






21. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






22. Unmusical - without tone.






23. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






24. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






25. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






26. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






27. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






28. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






29. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






30. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






31. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






32. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






33. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






34. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






35. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






36. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






37. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






38. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






39. A composition written for eight instruments.






40. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






41. The first violin in an orchestra.






42. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






43. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






44. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






45. A direction to play expressively.






46. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






47. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






48. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






49. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






50. A symbol indicating to play loud.